Apparatus and methods for accessing the lymphatic system
First Claim
1. A method for treating a body via a thoracic duct of the body, comprising:
- providing a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into the body, and an expandable member on the distal end;
introducing the distal end of the tubular member into a body lumen of the body via a percutaneous access site with the expandable member in a contracted condition;
advancing the tubular member until the distal end is disposed within a junction of a left internal jugular vein and a left subclavian vein of the body;
manipulating the tubular member to direct the distal end into the thoracic duct;
expanding the expandable member on the distal end to isolate the thoracic duct from the left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein;
removing a lymphatic fluid from the thoracic duct through the tubular member to a location exterior to the body;
treating the removed lymphatic fluid outside the body; and
returning at least a portion of the removed lymphatic fluid back into the body via the tubular member.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure within a patient'"'"'s body that involves a thoracic duct including an ostium communicating with the patient'"'"'s venous system. A distal end of a catheter is introduced through the patient'"'"'s venous system into a body lumen adjacent the ostium of the thoracic duct. An expandable member on the distal end of the tubular member may be expanded adjacent the ostium, e.g., within the body lumen or the thoracic duct itself, and used to isolate the thoracic duct from the body lumen, whereupon a medical procedure may be performed via the thoracic duct. For example, lymphatic fluid may be removed from the thoracic duct through a lumen of the tubular member and/or one or more agents may be introduced into the thoracic duct through the tubular member.
27 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for treating a body via a thoracic duct of the body, comprising:
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providing a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into the body, and an expandable member on the distal end; introducing the distal end of the tubular member into a body lumen of the body via a percutaneous access site with the expandable member in a contracted condition; advancing the tubular member until the distal end is disposed within a junction of a left internal jugular vein and a left subclavian vein of the body; manipulating the tubular member to direct the distal end into the thoracic duct; expanding the expandable member on the distal end to isolate the thoracic duct from the left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein; removing a lymphatic fluid from the thoracic duct through the tubular member to a location exterior to the body; treating the removed lymphatic fluid outside the body; and returning at least a portion of the removed lymphatic fluid back into the body via the tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for treating a body via a thoracic duct of the body, comprising:
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providing a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into the body, and an expandable member on the distal end; introducing the distal end of the tubular member into a body lumen of the body via a percutaneous access site with the expandable member in a contracted condition; advancing the tubular member until the distal end is disposed within a junction of a left internal jugular vein and a left subclavian vein of the body; manipulating the tubular member to direct the distal end into an outlet of the thoracic duct; expanding the expandable member on the distal end within the thoracic duct beyond a terminal valve adjacent the outlet to isolate the thoracic duct from the left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein; removing a lymphatic fluid from the thoracic duct through the tubular member to a location exterior to the body; and returning at least a portion of the removed lymphatic fluid back into the body retrograde into the thoracic duct via the tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification